EVERTON FC’S Director of Communications Ian Ross is expected to move to a new role inside Goodison Park.

But the ECHO understands the switch is not a result of today’s embarrassing email exposure and was planned months ago.

The Blues launched an internal investigation today after private e-mails from Mr Ross about Chief Executive Robert Elstone were published on the internet.

The correspondence, purporting to be from Mr Ross, was highly critical of Mr Elstone’s leadership, spoke of a culture of paranoia inside Goodison Park and described Goodison as like "working in a kinder- garten."

One mail from Mr Ross suggested that Mr Elstone was "unfit to lead" and heading for some kind of "breakdown."

Mr Elstone, however, released a statement tonight, condemning the individuals who published the email correspondence.

He said: "Some of you may have seen the various media reports/internet chatter circulating regarding an alleged email leak of private correspondence.

"Not for the first time in the recent past, certain individuals claiming to be Evertonians have made attempts to undermine the people of Everton Football Club by actions almost every one of us would find wholly unacceptable.

"Our experienced senior executive team is dealing with the matter assisted by the Club’s legal representatives and we will update accordingly and take appropriate action.

"It is disappointing to read what has been written on certain internet forums but I remained buoyed by the fact that this Club has the best supporters in football; supporters who I know recognise what’s right and what’s wrong.

"The challenges faced by us and most of our rivals are there for all to see and we don’t shy away from them. What’s true is we are stronger, and we will make the biggest difference, when we are together.

"At the end of a great week for the Club, when we have been saluted both on and off the pitch, Wolves come to visit and we get back to what really matters for Evertonians."

While the authenticity of the mails has not been challenged, Mr Ross believes that his email account has been hacked into and the content of some mails altered.

Despite the acute embarrassment caused by publication of the mails, together with Mr Elstone’s authority apparently being undermined by a senior club official, the ECHO understands that the decision to move Mr Ross into another department is not as a direct result.

It is not clear yet what role Mr Ross will take.

The story could hardly have broken at a more uncomfortable time for the club, with advocates for change at boardroom level at Everton, the Blue Union, staging a second protest march before today’s visit of Wolves.